Humans spend their whole lives making memories, and it can be frightening when something threatens their ability to recall those special times. Understanding whether there is a potentially significant issue or If memory loss is simply due to aging can assist in decreasing that fear. Having the support of a home care team while assessing the situation is an even better scenario.
Understanding Memory
There are many things that seniors worry about as they age. After spending years with the freedom to come and go as they please, losing that feeling is devastating. When memory loss is added to the scenario, it can lead seniors down a path that may result in depression or anxiety. How significant is the concern? And when should caregivers worry?
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), after turning sixty years old, 5 – 8% of seniors will struggle with dementia. That is compared to 40% who will notice a decline in memory functioning. Knowing these numbers might cause caregivers and seniors to wonder what’s in between. The fact is, there are different levels of memory loss. The first of these is age-related memory loss.
Age-Related Memory Loss
At some point, many people will feel the effects of memory loss, but the reasoning behind this memory loss is crucial to understanding if the loss is age-related or something more. It is normal for seniors to forget passwords, where they put their keys or someone’s name on occasion. If family members notice signs of memory loss, asking the following questions is important. Consult with their home care team to assist with accurate monitoring.
Is the memory loss disrupting their life?
Is memory loss affecting their ability to perform day-to-day tasks?
Is learning new tasks difficult?
If families answer “no” to these questions, age-related memory loss is likely the culprit. It’s also important to assess if a medical condition might be causing memory loss. Talk with the treatment team about medication issues or other factors that might decrease memory functioning.
Mild-Cognitive Impairment (MCI)
In some situations, seniors experience mild speech or memory issues that do not affect day-to-day tasks or disrupt their life. These situations are still frustrating and should be discussed with a medical professional. Those with MCI may be at a greater risk for Alzheimer’s Disease.
Dementia
Answering yes to the above questions does not mean that seniors are dealing with dementia. It is a good idea to consult with the home care team to see what they are experiencing to have a well-rounded picture when discussing the issue with a physician.
The only way to diagnose dementia is through testing with the physician. Talk with seniors about the appointment beforehand. This allows them the opportunity to formulate questions they want to ask regarding the situation. It also provides them with a sense of control.
A home care team can assess issues with seniors as they arise. This is due to consistent monitoring and care. Open communication with the team about possible concerns and asking for updates is an excellent way to stay on top of the situation.
Source:
https://alzheimer.ca/en/about-dementia/other-types-dementia/conditions-related-dementia/mild-cognitive-impairment
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/memory-forgetfulness-and-aging-whats-normal-and-whats-not
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/dementia
IF YOU OR AN AGING LOVED ONE IS CONSIDERING HIRING HOME CARE IN MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA, PLEASE CONTACT THE CARING STAFF AT HOME HELPERS TODAY. (408) 317-4969
